I responded with my "summary justice at a whim " remark because that was precisely what McDuff was suggesting.
I can appreciate the view that the majority of Police Officers do the job for the right reasons but the events surrounding the Stephen Lawrence murder and Hillsborough changed peoples perspectives. For the largest force in Britain to be labelled as institutionally racist was damming as were the conclusions following Hillsborough.
The reaction from the Police was more akin than "that's your opinion" rather than accept the criticism and do something about it. Get the public to believe that they are there for the benefit of all and not just those who fit a certain profile or who the Government of the day consider to be the "Enemy Within".
Off the top of my head i have known at least 20 policemen from Inspectors to Constables and all have been good blokes. They were / are a different breed from those who see force / threats as a way to keep people in line and unfortunately i have come across a few of those in my lifetime.